Wow, Lucky Cat & I have certainly been busy busy busy these last few months! We’ve been workin’ hard to sniff out and track down only the happiest of SWFL places & spaces, and can’t wait to share them all with you!

Here’s a sneak peek of the many types of happiness we’ll be unveiling soon in our luckyhappy game “Where’s Lucky Cat?” ~

Bunches and bunches of brilliantly colorful (and very good smelling) happiness…

Lucky, Our Downtown Art Enthusiast

The wonderful thing about ‘word,’ is that it gets around! And for a mew as tiny as Lucky’s, that’s pretty impressive…

Recently, Lucky was invited by FOX-4 News to meow about something very close to her heart, LOCAL ART!

Even better was the suggestion from Reporter Matt Grant that it be about our happy, wonderful, created-by-artists-from-our-own-town variety. Of course, Lucky pounced on this opportunity without a second thought!

Here’s how her big screen correspondent gig went down…

=)

It began with some chill time with the gallery crew before the shoot.

And before you knew it, it was time for…

ACTION!!!!

And just like that, Lucky transformed an official Art Critic.

“This piece by David Acevedo is simply titled: ‘Life.’ This is a work commenting on transition and on the ever changing stages we go through… of how we keep growing up, tier after tier, adding chapter after chapter to this book we call ‘Life!’ And did I mention that it is GLORIOUSLY orange? Could there BE a happier color? I think not.”

“Here we have Micro-Mosaics. (Although, I’d contest that ‘micro’ is all relative!) These wearable works are offering a nice dose of culture to fingers all over SWFL. Beautiful and one-of-a-kind, these rings are handmade by Artist Eve Lynch. Also, they are sparkly. And sparkly is wonderful. Perhaps when we are done you can hold this up to the light?? And we can play CHASE THE REFLECTION?!?!! What? Oh yes, we are still filming…”

“On to the next piece! Here we have another work by Artist David Acevedo. Part of a larger series, this one is titled ‘Over my Head’ and is… Hmmm… does this gig provide lunch? Suddenly I’m hung-a-ry…”

And after a short lunch break, filming resumed…

“Ah yes, this is one from Artist Troy Thomas! I’m particularly fond of this circle series… round and round they go, these geometric landscapes bring to mind my younger tail chasing days… several hundred years of kitty pastime captured in an abstract piece. Bravo Troy!”

Happy Spot #9 was all about human fabulous-ness, but what about that of the feline sort?

Shortly after our last blog posting, a facebook friend of Lucky Cat’s shared a glorious discovery:

Lorenzo, the best dressed cat in all of Florida!

Now, Lucky’s not that into fashion and flash, but when she learned that Lorenzo’s (and his photographer friend Joann Biondi’s) big goal is to help spread smiles, she let out a purrrr of admiration.

Immediately, she started brainstorming ways to say thanks to this fellow happy cat, (while I sat back in relief, happy to know I’m not the only one who’s life is dictated by a spirited feline!) Taking the advice we recieved from Agora on First to heart, Lucky decided what Lorenzo needed was a fabulous accessory, a ‘lucky’ charm of sorts. We headed straight to our next downtown Happy Spot to get some ideas as to what this charm might be!

Haha nice, but still not quite right… X-)

Oh dear. There is so much to look at! If we’re going to find this special charm today, I think we’re going to need some helppp!!

And it was at that moment that, seemingly out of nowhere, this lil’ guy approached and offered up 3 words:

“Army. of. Frogs.”

Whaaat??

He said if anyone could help us find the right lucky charm, it’d be them. They know this Happy Spot like the back of their hand. flipper. webbed foot? Anyway, he pointed us to the back of the shop and lo and behold, there they were…

An army of frogs!! X-)

Lucky told them all about Lorenzo and what she had in mind, and they hung on every word. After talking amongst themselves for a moment, they took off! And in no time, we had exactly what we needed…

Oriental fish! ~ The purrrfect lucky charm, from one happy cat to another!

Not Your Grandma’s Antique Store

If she was a 50’s rebel woman or a 60’s flower child, if she had Disco fever or lived only for Pucci’s next print… then yeah, you got us: This IS your grandma’s antique store!!! :D

As soon as you enter this Happy Spot, it packs a big, bright, funky-punky punch. The aged awesomeness seems endless as it lines every available wall, floor, and ceiling space!

Lucky Cat, who herself is over 2 centuries old, felt an immediate kinship with these much loved items of antiquity. She mentioned that, much like her, each item here has a history… a hidden story that makes it all the more lovable!!

And with that, Lucky padded off to get to know as much of this Happy Spot as possible…

I found her journeying through poppy fields of polyester…

dreaming cozy colorful dreams…

and eying curious little buttons.

( Luuucky… That’s vintage buttonry, don’t even think about it!!)

~

After a hilarious scare in the “vintage vinyl” section (which Lucky requests I don’t elaborate on)…

heehee X-)

she took a quick look through randomly random people of the past,

and then hopped onto a camel (really?) to set off in search of this Happy Spot’s very own legendary feline!

It didn’t take long to find who she was looking for (she had apparently chosen a very knowledgeable camel) and after a short introduction these two mewed on and on for hours… I guess over 2 centuries of living probably does give her lots to talk about!

When the conversation finally wore down, Lucky’s new friend sent her off in search of somethin’ pretty cool…

…a Lucky-sized mint condition Model-T!

Next thing I know, Lucky’s zooming off again in a new direction. In this endless treasure chest of a place, I can’t wait to see what she comes across next!

A Lucky Cat and her lucky Tats.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Lucky’s a pretty tatted up lil’ cat!

Her belly markings have been proudly worn by lucky cats for centuries. Each symbol is a Japanese Kanji blessing, and together they make for a very lucky cat indeed.

But even the best tattoos need touching up (especially after say, 100 or so years of wear), and this leads us to Happy Spot #7.

Lucky and I had been told about an artist named Andy, who works often with japanese stylings. We headed out to look him up in his down town gallery/tattoo shop and, being a very discerning cat, Lucky decided to ask some of the shop’s inhabitants their opinions about his work…

If these guys hadn’t been so busy wreaking havoc, they might’ve been helpful. Sorry to interrupt!

And this character… well… moving on….

Finally! A guy (bug? alien?) who understood what we were after. He gave Lucky all the reassurance about Andy she needed. (Apparently under that robe of his is a full japanese-warrior body piece. Who would’ve known?)

Lucky Cat makes her governmental debut…

A few weeks ago, Lucky Cat matter-of-factly informed me that “if this happiness movement is to be successful it must be made official, even if only unofficially so.” X-)

So the calls were made and the meetings were set. On July 17, 2010 we met with SWFL Mayor #1, Mr. John Sullivan of Cape Coral. We presented him with our happiness mission and proposed a new idea: a Department of Happiness! He loved it and together we made it unofficially official ~ SWFL now has a fully functioning Department of Happiness, with Lucky as Head Kitty and myself as… well, whatever she needs me to be!

And today, August 3, 2010, we inducted a new member into this very special Department… the City of Ft. Myers Mayor Mr. Randy Henderson! He too is an enthusiastic advocate for community happiness and we are very excited to have him on board. Even more exciting is his big idea for Lucky: for her to be featured in February’s Edison Festival of Lights Parade!!! (More on this soon.)

As this happiness mission gains strength and speed, Lucky & I would like to send a big thank you out to YOU. It is YOUR support and happy energy that’s propelling this project forward. As the artist behind this ambitiously innovative Work of Art, it is my goal that the success of Lucky Cat is synonymous with the success of ourselves as a community. She has the magic to introduce change, but it is US who have the power to move it forward and make it stick. Thank you! =)

A friendly trip to our local Oculoplastic Opthalmologist

Ever wonder what’s inside the tool box of an Eyelid Surgeon?

Me neither! X-)

But as it turns out, they’ve got a uniquely helpful lil’ bag of tools. Without ’em, many people would continue to suffer from an array of eyelid ailments that, prior to Lucky’s visit, I never knew existed. Thank goodness these guys already had it covered!

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in our local Oculoplastic Ophthalmologist’s office:

(A side note: ‘Eyelid Surgeon’ might be easier to say, but Oculoplastic Ophthalmologist just oozes scientific coolness. Impress your friends by working it into everyday conversation.)

O.O. Tool #1: A “Bovie.”

A Bovie (bow-vee) is an oxymoron of a machine.

It heals as it cuts and cuts as it heals!

If you find yourself at it’s mercy, don’t worry. Just think of it as a “friendly laser.”

O.O. Tool #2: Pathology Requisition Forms

A documentary document used to document the types of things that must be documented.

O.O. Tool #3: Eye Drops

Some used to numb, some used to wet…ALL intended “for topical ophthalmic use only.” No drinking, bathing, or applying them to your paws, got it Lucky?

And O.O. Tool #4: Surgeon’s Loops.

Magnifying glasses too powerful to be called glasses. Hence the spiffy name, Loops.

Lucky fell in love with the Loops, and their ability to make tiny things look huge..

I suppose if I was only 3/4 of an inch tall, I’d have fallen in love with them too!

:-)

So there you have it! The tools of our local Eyelid Surgeon.

I mean… the tools of our local Ock-q-low-plastic Op-tha-mall-o-gist!

Ahh, I feel smarter already.

Where’s Lucky Cat?

At the Eyelid Surgery Center in Fort Myers, FL!

Congrats to Cheryl Ferrara, who found Lucky and won a $25 movie theater gift card.

The eyes… are the windows to the soul… the jewels of the body… an endless ocean, and I am lost at sea…

Ah yes, the eyes. Amazing jewel colored windows leading towards other worlds… but what, I ask you, about their trusty partners, the eyelids? Where are their accolades and appreciative poems? They are, after all, two of the most important lil’ bits of skin we have. Imagine, for a moment, a world without them…

No sleeping! (There goes Lucky Cat’s favorite pastime.)

No eye rolling! (How will teenagers ever express their contempt?)

No winking! (Shamelessly flirting will never be the same.)

And need I mention? We’d be living in a world full of non-blinking, endlessly staring, googly eyes! Creeeepy…

It’s true, the eyes are nothing without their peeper keepers. Therefore, it’s best to know someone who can help keep ‘em in top shape! Dr. Larson of the Eyelid Surgery Centers in Naples and Ft. Myers is a specialist who’s spent over 34 years making sure eyelids’ needs are covered so that they, in turn, can keep on coverin.’ Drooping eyelids, loosened eyelids, cancerous eyelids, and aging eyelids can all find relief from Dr. Larson and his specially trained staff. With an impressive 15 years of exclusive education, and nearly 20 years of surgical practice, he’s happy to bring his patients better eyesight, eye health and improved cosmetic appearance.

How do you know if your eyelids would benefit from a visit? Ask yourself these 3 questions: Can you see your eyelids? Do you need to raise your eyebrows to see more clearly? Do you have trouble seeing beside you without turning your head left or right? If so, then you might head in for one of their free eyelid screenings.

From calming waiting room aquariums to free taxi rides, the team at the Eyelid Surgery Center is proud to treat you and your eyelids like royalty. So if your peeper keepers are ever in need of some tlc, get ‘em on over to Happy Spot #5, where they’re committed to spreading happiness one eyelid at a time!

~ Kalon Lucia, 2010

To learn more about Dr. Larson and the Eyelid Surgery Center, please visit their website:

SwfL Happy Spot #4 Profile:Crystal has moved from the Salt Cave and into a beautiful space all her own!3811 Airport Rd. N. Suite 104Naples, FL(239) 293.9649For more info: Website

“Feel your Best & Be your Best”

Lucky relaxes with healing salts and healing hands.

After her adventure with Godzilla pup, I figured our lil’ Ambassador of Happiness could use some relaxin’ paw-pamperin’ love.

My thoughts went immediately to the Salt Cave in Naples, as I’ve heard many times over that it’s a source of healing wonders!

(Oops! Did I just give away the location? Ah no, no. You see, the Salt Cave houses a very special talent… and that’s who we went to visit.)

“Ooh I can feel it already, this is going to be good.”

A Himalayan Salt Scrub was first on the relaxation list, until we realized the salt was almost as big as Lucky! So instead, she opted to simply bask in it’s healing glow. (Smart choice Lucky)

“Massage time? I’m ready!”

After her Himalayan Salt “glow treatement,” Lucky was welcomed into a pair of happy healing hands.

“Cha cha cha, I LOVE happy healing hands.”

According to the masseur, Lucky’s holding a lot of tension in that right shoulder. After the kinks were worked out, I mentioned that perhaps she doesn’t need to beckon in happiness 24/7, but she insisted otherwise and replied: “We need all the happiness I can get!”

That we do, Lucky Cat. =)

“I’ll beckon happiness 24/7! I’m a Lucky Cat, and that’s what I do!”

Ah well.

If that’s the case, keep it up Lucky! I’m starting to think weekly visits to this cozy place is something I could happily get used to!

Where’s Lucky Cat?

Getting a healing massage from Crystal Mastrofrancesco at the Salt Cave in Naples!

Congratulations to Angie of Estero, who found Lucky and won a 1-hour massage and a custom made jar of Himalayan Crystal Salt Scrub.

“Everyone can benefit from a little bit of a healing touch.” ~ Crystal

Who is Crystal Mastrofrancesco?

A gifted massage therapist,

A treasured source of healing,

And a promoter of happy, healthy bodies!

A focused touch can affect more than our skin’s surface; it can awaken our spirit and our body’s own healing energies. Massage therapy sessions, also known as Aahh-this-feels-amazing-why-don’t-I-do-this-more-often sessions, offer up a precious mix of health benefits. These include pain relief, stress reduction, improved circulation, head-to-toe relaxation, and all over rejuvenation just to name a few…

Crystal Mastrofrancesco, located in the Naples Salt Cave, has been practicing the art of healing touch since she was a young girl, happily offering massages to family and friends. What began as an innocent desire to offer relief and smiles to those she loved has now blossomed into an earnest passion to provide healing and happiness for all who need it.

This passion, paired with professional training from the Heritage Institute and a vibrantly positive attitude, has generated a magical combination of heart-fueled intent and practiced skill. Her hands are adept at conversing with the body, gently soothing, calming, and persuading tense muscles to relax and let go. “I listen to not only what someone tells me about their body, but also to what their body tells me about their body.” Following these intangible signals is what allows Crystal to turn each massage into a custom therapeutic session and tune into the areas of the body that need a healing touch the most.

Her recent re-location to the Salt Cave couldn’t be a better fit. Now, in addition to offering Swedish, Medical, Deep Tissue, and Sports massages, Pre-natal massages, neck, TMJD, and headache relief, Crystal is also able to share the healing powers of Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt. This salt, in its many different forms, offers stronger detoxification and rejuvenation effects and is the main ingredient in Crystal’s custom-made salt scrubs.

Lucky Cat and I certainly benefitted from spending an hour in Crystal’s happy hands, and I’d recommend for you to pay her a visit too. After all, “everyone can benefit from a little bit of a healing touch!” ~ Kalon Lucia 2010

From the moment you approach their front door, there’s no doubt about who is top dog at The Yuppy Puppy. “Please ring bell to enter,” reads their sign. Why? Because all pups here are roaming free! This is possibly the coolest thing about this shop – no cages. Roaming free is of such importance in fact, that half of their entire building is set-aside solely for this puppy-liscious playtime.

Skip (the owner), and Kerry (the go-to groomer) go above and beyond to spoil their furry four-legged clients. A few items on their groomer’s must have list? All natural dog shampoos, quality dog food, rawhide bones, and enough squeaky toys to go around! Even their water is special – bottled, not tap.

If you’re afraid your pup might get a little too comfortable here and resistant to leave behind some of these luxurious amenities, The Yuppy Puppy’s got you covered there too. In their boutique section they offer a wide array of foods, chew toys, leashes, water bowls, and more. There’s even a few bedazzled dresses for the canine that prefers to walk around with a bit more pizzazz!

My favorite thing about The Yuppy Puppy, however, is Skip and Kerry’s enthusiasm for what they do here. “We make dogs look good,” Kerry says. “You can just see an attitude change in the dogs once they’re done. They’re happy! They prance!” Throw in a paw prints leash and a bedazzled dress, and what more could a puppy possibly ask for? :-) ~Kalon Lucia 2010

“Lucky the Framer”

Exploring the art of framing art.

Lucky’s had a long time fascination with the Arts and the special world it inhabits, so, when we received an invite to get some behind-the-scenes artworld skills, she pounced at the chance! Here’s the cliffs notes version of what we learned at Happy Spot #2:

# 1 – Choose a frame that enhances, but does not overwhelm your work of art.

“Just one? But which?!”

* If, however, YOU are the one that feels overwhelmed, narrow it down to your top two.

#3 – Closely inspect the finished work to ensure everything is as it should be.

“Check!”

And finally, #4 – Step back and enjoy your work!

“Bellissima! I feel like I’m there, can you see me?”

~

“Fun fun framing… cha cha cha”

=^-^=

Where’s Lucky Cat?

At SwfL Happy Spot #2: Frame Gallery & Gifts in Cape Coral, Florida!

Congratulations to Rick Khuns who won a $20 gift certificate to Sukura Japanese SteakHouse in Cape Coral =)

“They say the frame first appeared 4,000 years ago in tomb paintings. Once nothing more than a painted decorative border, a frame is now an essential element that protects and emphasizes the work it holds. But if you ask me, I say it’s just the thing that makes my happy photos look gooood.” ~ Lucky

What makes Frame Gallery and Gifts so special?

Their unspoken motto is “Spoil everyone.”

Nestled comfortably in a spirited Cape Coral gallery is a masterful matchmaker, skilled in the many ways of love. But don’t too excited about finding a Friday night date, because this is love of a different kind ~ as in “That is the perfect painting/print/frame and I see us living happily together forever” kind of love!

Whether you’re an artist seeking a home for your latest artwork, an art lover seeking an artwork for your latest home, or simply a cool person with a cool picture looking for a cool frame job… Barb and Loren Hosack, owners of Frame Gallery & Gifts on Del Prado Blvd., will be able to provide you with the with the perfect match.

One visit to their shop and you’ll see why. The atmosphere is smart, comfortable, and full of artistic visions; art is everywhere! Ranging in mediums from sculpture to jewelry to watercolor to oil, and in style and theme from manatees and martinis to beach scenes and African safaris to abstracts and still life, there is truly something for everyone. And, if in this glorious mix of talent you still cannot find your hearts desire, just ask! Thanks to over 20 years of Cape living, Barb and Loren have accrued a valuable list of local artists and artisans, one of whom might be able to create the very work you are seeking.

Now, I know some of you are closet art-lovers who think that an art gallery is out of your price range and therefore not worth visiting. I invite you to give Frame Gallery & Gifts a shot. Remember, Barb is passionate about “spoiling everyone,” and that means YOU too! And so they offer an abundant selection of giclees (which is a fancy name for well made copies or “prints” of an original artwork), as well as originals that cater to a wide range of budgets. At Frame Gallery & Gifts, there’s no reason not to walk away with something wonderful!

In closing, as an artist myself, I’d like to thank Barb and Loren for their 20 years of supporting and championing our local art scene. They are a blessing and a treasure, and we are certainly ‘lucky’ to have them as a part of our SWFL community. Thank you!

About:

Lucky Cat is a legend brought to life by Southwest Florida Artist Kalon Lucia Baquero. It is part of a larger artistic construction titled "Lucky Cat SWFL" and is exploring what happens when a fresh source of happiness is introduced (by the arts) into an economically struggling & culturally unstable environment such as the one SWFL is now facing.
To learn more about Lucky Cat and her Happy Adventures, please visit:
www.luckycatswfl.com

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